Oregon wildfires are the highest priority in the country

With 38 large, uncontrolled wildfires raging across 2,200,000 acres (838,908 hectares) in Oregon and Washington, the Northwest region has been given the highest priority for firefighting efforts in the United States.

Oregon bears the brunt of this devastation, with 91.5 percent of the total burning area within its borders, making it the area of ​​greatest concern for firefighting efforts nationwide. According to daily updates from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC), which oversees firefighting resource allocations in Oregon and Washington, the federal government has designated the region as the highest priority for receiving additional firefighting support. On July 19, NWCC spokesperson Carol Connolly announced that the region had reached “planning level five,” indicating that all firefighting crews in Oregon and Washington are deployed to active fires and that there are many wildfires occurring across the country. This level requires competition for resources with nine other Interagency Coordination Centers, with allocations managed by the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

Reaching “level five” means that firefighting resources in Oregon and Washington are severely strained, potentially impacting the region’s ability to effectively contain the fires. However, as a top priority, the Northwest is receiving significant support from outside firefighters.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” Connolly said. “If we’re the highest priority, we get more help, but it also means we’re dealing with a lot of fires.”

Currently, 7,681 firefighters, 511 fire engines and 38 helicopters are battling the fires in the Northwest. More than 80 percent of these firefighters are stationed in Oregon. Eastern Oregon has been hit particularly hard, with four mega-fires—Durkee, Cow Valley, Falls and Lone Rock—each burning more than 100,000 acres. The Durkee Fire, located five miles southwest of Durkee, has become the largest in the state, expanding to nearly 240,000 acres.

This wildfire season has destroyed 17 homes in Oregon so far. Fortunately, as of July 23, there have been no reported fatalities in Oregon or Washington related to the 2024 wildfire season.